New allocation system ensures decentralization, assigns greater role to dists: Mufti

KATHUA, JUNE 20(KMW): Describing Kathua and Samba as the Gateway and Industrial Hub of the State respectively, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today called upon the administration to take full advantage of the revised financing scheme which focuses on decentralization and assigns greater role and responsibility to the districts.
He called upon the administrators to take full ownership of developmental projects for creation of productive assets and effective implementation of social sector schemes.
The Chief Minister made these observations while chairing District Development Board Meetings of Kathua and Samba districts, here today.
Besides the Chairmen of Samba and Kathua District Development Boards, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh and Minister for I&C, Chander Parkash respectively, Union Minister of State in PMO and Development of North Eastern States, Dr. Jatinder Singh, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Ch. Lal Singh, Minister for Finance, Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu, Legislators, Rajiv Jasrotia, Jeevan Lal, Kuldeep Raj, Lal Singh, Devender Kumar Manyal, Sham Lal Baghat and Noor Hussain, participated in the meeting.
While Rs.162.18 crore capital allocation for Kathua district has been approved, for District Samba, a capital plan allocation of Rs.86.62 crore was okayed during the Board meetings.
Describing spending as a huge challenge under the new framework for developmental spending, the Chief Minister flagged education, health, tourism and agriculture as the prime focus areas of the Government.
Calling for proper leveraging of funds allocated to the districts, Mufti Sayeed observed that officers shall be responsible for capital spending so that liabilities on account of unfinished works and completion of ongoing projects is ensured, which will pave way for taking up of new projects.
On the issue of Shahpur Kandi Canal, the Chief Minister said he will seek intervention of the Centre so that the matter is amicably resolved with the Punjab Government as the project is significant for irrigating huge tracts of agricultural land in Kathua district.
The Chief Minister issued directions for immediate up-gradation of all roads in Kathua and Samba, in particular Kathua-Basohli Road to improve access to Ranjit Sagar Dam, which the Government is promoting as an independent water-sports destination.
In order to hold contractors accountable for executing road projects, the Chief Minister said the Government will make it binding upon them to maintain roads for three years.
Referring to the dearth of specialist doctors and nurses in the health sector, Mufti Sayeed said the new Recruitment Policy, which is on the anvil, will ensure appointment of qualified medical and paramedical staff in the district and state cadres.
Laying emphasis upon sourcing funds under Government-sponsored schemes, the Chief Minister highlighted the potential of Kathua in agriculture and horticulture sectors. “Mango village will be set up and Market Intervention Scheme introduced to improve the quality of crop,” he added.
During the Board meeting of Samba, besides taking wide ranging decisions for development of one of the smallest districts, the Chief Minister appreciated the literacy rate of 81 per cent, which is the highest in the State.
Crediting Minister for Education for taking the sector to a higher pedestal, the Chief Minister said the quality of education in government schools will be Government’s top most priority and it will strive to match it with the best schools in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, praised the Finance Minister for the paradigm shift and presenting a criteria-based development plan which is also part of the Agenda of Alliance of the Coalition partners.
The Union Minister, in his remarks, suggested that holding of preparatory meetings between the District Administration and the elected representatives ahead of the Board meetings so that the Plan formulated is based on the aspirations and expectations of the people. “The members of District Development Boards should be made aware about the flagship programmes launched by the Central Government so that people are benefited,” he added.
Earlier, Minister for Finance, gave a brief overview of the new process of funding that will cover panchayat projects, district development works, State’s own programmes, Centrally-Sponsored Schemes, externally-aided projects and rehabilitation programmes.
Also present in the meetings where Principal Secretary, Planning, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner / Secretary, School Education, Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner / Secretary, Health & Medical Education, M. K. Bhandari, Secretary PHE, I&FC, Pervez Malik, Secretary to Chief Minister, M. H. Malik, Divisional Heads, besides Deputy Commissioners of Samba and Kathua and senior officers of the two districts.
Other important decisions – Kathua
1. Improvement / macadamization of roads forthwith; Contractors to maintain roads for three years
2. Up-gradation of Kathua-Basohli Road up to Ranjit Sagar Dam
3. Amusement Park at Kathua
4. To boost irrigation sector, seek Centre’s intervention in resolving Shahpur Kandi Canal issue with the Punjab Government
5. Promotion of Basohli miniature paintings
6. Development of parking slot to decongest town
7. Rainwater harvesting to be popularized. Land to be identified for Tank Reservoirs
8. Plan to be formulated for setting up Mango Village to boost horticulture sectors
9. Taking up of GHSS Hiranagar as Model School; introducing concepts of Smart Room, e-learning
Other important decisions – Samba
1. AMT School at Samba
2. Boys HSS Samba to be taken up as Model School
3. Blood Bank at District Hospital, Samba
4. Rationalization of Primary Health Centres
5. Flood protection works to be taken up on priority.